Puzzles and language

  A recent article in New Scientist highlights some very interesting research by Gillian Forrester at Birkbeck, University of London.  She has been developing puzzles to test the ability of great apes (including human children) to use their hands to solve increasingly complex puzzles, designed to test conceptualizing abilities similar to those required for language learning and use.  The evidence she has garnered through this (and earlier) research supports the claim that sign language developed prior to vocal language, and further suggests a role for puzzle-solving ability.  This short video gives a flavor of her work: 

https://youtu.be/8edayRfe484 

If Robin Dunbar is correct in his claim that language evolution was driven primarily by the pressures of living in large and complex social structures, Forrester’s work would seem to suggest that solving social puzzles is related to solving physical puzzles.  I’m looking forward to the publication of Forrester’s work for further details!